Sewing-machine.



R. G. W'OODWARD.

SEWING MAGHINE. APPLICATION FILED APRQ, 190a.

Patented Ja11.5, 1915.

4 SHEETSS HBET 1 R. -G.- WOODWARD. SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

4 SHEETS--SHEBT 2.

mamem Mam R. G. WOODWARD. SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. 1903.

1 1 %8,6%Qu Patented Jan. 5, 1915 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 THE NORRIS PETERS 60..

R. G. WOODWARD;

SEWING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED APILQ, 190a.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

4' SIjIBBTS-SHEET 4..

ME NORRIS PETERS (30., FHDTO-LITHfl., WASHINUIUN. u 1

the stripper blade,

lD'lQTTED STATE@ PATENT OFFTOF.

RUSSEL G. WOODWARD, OF WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNION SPECIAL MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SEWING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUssEL G. 001)- WARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at vVaukegan, in the county of Lake, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-Machines, of which tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to an improvement in sewing and ruliling machines, more especially adapted to the well known sewing and ruff-ling machine of the Union Special type, such as illustrated more particularly in Patent No. 655,143, ofJuly 31, 1900.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the type referred to, in which the rufller and all the parts cooperating therewith, such as the folder, stripper blade, and edge guide, may all be thrown out of operation without disturbing the action of the stitch forming mechanism.

The invention has been especially designed for use in connection with skirt and pettieoat sewing and ruffling machines, in which a ruffle or series of ruflies, is to be secured to the body of the skirt, and it is desirable to throw out the rufliing apparatus, to enable the operator to end the seam where it be gan without the interference of the ruffling device, although, of course, the invention is applicable to any machine for sewing and rufliing tubular goods.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and referred to, in the appended claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1, is a perspective view, of so much of a sewing and milling machine as is necessary to a complete understanding of my invention. Fig. 2, is a front end view. Fig. 3, is a skeleton perspective view of the mechanism for throwing out the ruflling attachment, the parts being shown disconnected from the machine head; F ig. 4 is a rear ele vation partly in section of the machine, the parts being broken away. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing the relation of the presser foot to the stripper carrier and the ruffler. Fig. 6 is an elevation showing the rufller and manner of pivotally supporting the presser foot being re- Specification of Letters Patent.

the following is a descrip- Patented Jan. 5, 1915. Serial No. 151,826.

moved; Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 77 of Fig. 6.

In these drawings, 1 represents the main shaft from which motion is imparted to the horizontal transverse bar 19, sliding in lugs 20, on the bracket 2, to which is secured a removable piece 3, having a groove 4, adapted to engage a feather 5, on the head of the machine. The supporting head 22 for the milling blade 27, is attached to the end of the transverse sliding bar 19, and to the bracket 2, is attached the stripper blade support, the folder support, and the edge guide support, these parts being of the usual construction. Motion is imparted to the rock shaft 15, in a manner similar to that shown in the patent above mentioned, except that the spring 50, always bears against the opposite side of the projection 49, from what it does in said patent, so as to always keep the lower end of lever 48, swung inwardly, and therefore, the rock shaft continuously vibrating. Motion is imparted to the sliding bar 19, and therefore, to the ruflier from the rock shaft by the following mechanism:

Upon the forward end of the rock shaft, is fixed a head 6, having two arms 7, extending downwardly therefrom, the opening be tween them being wider at the top, than at the bottom, the width of the space at the bottom being sufficient to receive snugly the arm. of lever 8, which has a link connection 18, with the sliding bar 19, and at its upper end is pivoted to the lower end of the fork 9, pivoted on a sleeve 10, surrounding the rock shaft and held in place by two collars 100 adjustably secured on the rock shaft. Upon the opposite or front side of the head of the machine, is pivoted at 11, upon an ad justable block 110 on the overhanging arm another arm or lever, 12, which is attached to the bracket 2. lVhen the arms or levers 8 and 12, are swung up on their pivots, the arm or lever 8, moves up out of the narrow space in the vibrating yoke formed by the arms 7, 7, and the wider part of said space in the yoke is sufficient to allow vibration of said yoke, without contact with the arm 8, thus when said arms are swung up on their pivots, the sliding of the arm 19 ceases, and therefore, the ruifler stops. The swinging of the arms or levers 8 and 12 on their pivots, and the consequent stopping of the ruffler, and throwing of all the parts which cooperate with the ruffier, out from the front of the needle, to enable the operator to join the edges of the tube, is accomplished in the machine herein shown, by having the rod 13, pivoted to the bracket 2, at its lower end and at its upper end, pivoted to the end of the presser foot lever 1 from the end of which connection is made by a chain to a foot treadle.

From the above, it will be apparent that the arm or lever 8 is in a sense a rocker arm which is pivotally supported at one end, while the other end thereof is connected to the rufiling blade. This rocker arm is, however, pivoted and when the outer end thereof is swung about the pivot through the aid of the treadle the rufiling blade is rendered ineffective. That is to say, this rocker arm serves as the means through which the vibrations of the rocking part 7 are imparted to the gathering or rufiling device and when said rocker arm is moved so as to be disconnected from said rocking part, then, of course, the vibrations of the gathering or ruflling blade cease.

Of course, other means may be devised for swinging the bracket 2 on its pivots, the pivots of the arms or levers 8 and 12, being practically the pivot of the bracket 2. The engagement of the groove 4, of bracket 2, with the feather 5, insures rigidity of the parts, while the ruflier is in action.

By means of the adjustment of the part 10 on the rock shaft, and the block 110, the rufiling attachment may be adjusted bodily to the right or left so as to swing on the arcs of the different circles. When it is desired to adjust the rufliing attachment to the right the block 3 is removed and the pivotal points moved to the right in the manner described. In order to raise the rufiling blade from the goods automatically as the presser foot is raised, I provide the arm 23 which supports the folder and stripper blade with a screw 112 which is located in the path of the presser foot 113. Vhen the presser foot is raised the foot engages said screw and swings the arm 23 upon its pivotal support. The lower end of the arm 23 contacts with the projection 111 carried by the ruffler head 22 and turns said head about its pivotal point and thus raises the rufiiing blade up from the stripper blade.

In practice the folder 25 and stripper blade 26, are supported by the bracket 2, through the depending arm 23. The edge guide support 24, is also hung from said bracket, in the usual way, while the ruffling blade is attached to the head 22. The folder is on the base piece 28, which is raised above the cloth plate 29 of the machine, to allow the body or fiounces of the skirt to pass beneath it. The piece to be rufl'led and sewed on to the flounces, has its edge folded and guided by the folder 25, and it is ruflied and fed to the stitch forming mechanism along with the tape passing through a guide preferably one on the presser foot. In sewing the ruflie on to the flounce of the skirt, when it is desired to sew the free ends of the ruiiled piece to the goods, or when for any other purpose continuous sewing and not rufi'ling is desired, the ruftler, stripper blade, folder and edge guide, are thrown bodily from in front of the needle and continuous sewing may take place.

Various minor modifications and changes in the construction and parts of this machine may be made, without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, of course, I do not wish to be limited in the use of this invention to the disconnection of a rufiling device alone from its operative connections,

for other tools or devices may be so manipulated as to be thrown out of action in a similar manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sewing machine and in combination therewith, a ruflling attachment, means for operating it, including a vibrating part, and means for throwing the rufiiing attachment bodily out of operative position in a direction transverse to the line of stitching, and simultaneously disconnecting the vibrating part from the rulliing attachment, substantially as described.

2. In a sewing machine, and in combination therewith, a device for operating upon the goods to be sewed, means for operating said device including a vibrating part, and means for throwing said device bodily out of operative position, in a direction transverse to the line of stitching and simultane ously disconnecting the device from said vibrating part; substantially as described.

3. In a sewing machine, in combination therewith, a device for operating upon the goods to be sewed, means for operating said device including a continuously vibrating part, and means for throwing said device bodily out of operative position, in a direction transverse to the line of stitching and simultaneously disconnecting the device from said vibrating part; substantially as described.

4-. In a sewing machine, and in combination therewith, a ruilling attachment, a pivoted support therefor, means for operating the ruifiing attachment, and means for swinging the support bodily into and out of operative position, in a direction transverse to the line of stitching and simultaneously throwing into and out of operation the ruffling attachment operating means; substantially as described.

In a sewing machine and in combination therewith, a rufiling attachment, :1 pivoted support therefor with means for swinging said pivoted support bodily into and out of operative position in a direction transverse to the line of stitching, a vibrating member, and a member in operative engagement, with the ruffiing attachment, and means for throwing said last member into and out of the path of the vibrating member, as the pivoted support is moved transversely to the line of stitching; substantially as described.

6. In a sewing machine, and in combination therewith, a pivoted frame upon which a ruflling attachment is supported to have a reciprocating movement with means for moving said pivoted frame toward and away from the stitch-forming mechanism of the machine in a direction transverse to the line of stitching, a vibrating member, and an arm connected with the rufiling attachment to impart movement thereto and projecting into the path of the vibrating member; substantially as described.

7. In a sewing machine, a supporting frame pivoted thereto, carrying a folder, stripper blade and rufiiing attachment, means for operating the ruiiling attachment and means for swinging the supporting frame, and simultaneously releasing or throwing into action ment; substantially as described.

8. I11 a sewing machine, a pivoted frame, a ruifler supported thereon, means for reciprocating the rufller, including an arm as 8, and a continuously vibrating part having means whereby it is adapted to engage with or be disengaged from said arm as the pivoted frame is moved in a direction transverse to the line of stitching; substantially as described.

9. In a sewing machine, and in combination therewith, a pivoted frame, a reciprocating member thereon carrying a rufiler, a vibrating rock shaft on the machine frame, a member depending therefrom, and having connecting means whereby it is adapted to engage with or be disengaged from the reciprocating member, as the frame is swung on its pivot; substantially as described.

10. In a sewing machine, and in combination therewith a pivoted frame, a reciproeating member thereon carrying a ruflier, an arm pivoted at one end to the reciproeating member, and at its other end pivoted to swing laterally and vertically, and a vibrating rock shaft having arms projecting therefrom, between which the said pivoted arm extends, said projecting arms being so arranged as to engage or disengage said arm, as the frame is lowered or raised; substantially as described.'

11. In a machine of the character described, the sliding bar carrying the rutlier, the projecting arm connected thereto and pivoted to the machine frame, the pivoted the ruffling attachthe ruifiing attachment frame supporting the sliding bar, the rock shaft, having the depending arms, the space between the arms varying in width as set forth, said arms embracing the projecting arm, substantially as described.

12. In a sewing machine of the character described the rutfler means for reciprocating the same, the pivoted frame carrying the same, the rock shaft with means for connecting and disconnecting said rufller from its operating means said means including a projecting arm pivoted to a head, which in turn is pivoted to the rock shaft; substantially as described.

13. In a sewing machine of the character described the reciprocating ruflier, the pivoted frame carrying the same, the rock shaft, the arm connected to the reciprocating ruffler, and adapted as the frame is lowered or raised to be vibrated by the rock shaft, or rendered inoperative, and means for raising and lowering the pivoted frame, and means connected to the rock shaft for vibrating the ruflier; substantially as described.

' In a machine of the character described, the reciprocating ruffier, the pivoted frame carrying the same, the rock shaft, the arm connected to the reciprocating ruifier, and adapted as the frame is lowered or raised to be vibrated by the rock shaft, or rendered inoperative, and means for raising and lowering the pivoted frame, said means including a pivoted arm as 13, and a lever for operating the same; and means connected to the rock shaft for vibrating the rufiier, substantially as described.

15. In a machine of the character described, the reciprocating ruffler, the pivoted frame carrying the same, the rock shaft, the arm connected to the reciprocating ruiiler and adapted as the frame is lowered or raised, to be vibrated by the rock shaft, or rendered inoperative, and means for raising and lowering the pivoted frame, said pivoted frame and machine frame having rigid engagement when the rufiier is thrown into operation, to prevent jar; and means connected to the rock shaft for vibrating the miller, substantially as de scribed.

16. In a sewing machine and in combination therewith, the ruffling attachment, means for operating it, device for throwing bodily out of operation without disturbing the action of the stitch forming mechanism and means for adjusting the ruffling attachment bodily, whereby it may be made to swing on different arcs; substantially as described.

17.. In a sewing machine and in combination therewith a rufliing attachment, means for operating it, a pivoted frame supporting the same, means for throwing the rufiiing attachment bodily out of action and simultaneously stopping the rufliing mechaing the same,

pivot points nism and means for adjusting bodily the pivot points of the frame; substantially as described.

18. In a sewing machine and in combina- --tion therewith a rufliing attachment, means for operating it, a pivoted frame supportmeans for throwing the ruffiing attachment bodily out of action and simultaneouslyv stopping the ruffling mechanism and means for adjusting bodily the of the frame, said means including horizontally adjustable pivot carrying members for pivot-ally supporting sa'd frame; substantially as described. 7

1 9. In a sewing machine of the character described, the reciprocating rufiier, a pivoted frame carrying the same; a rock shaft with means for connecting and disconnecting said rufl'ier from its operating means, said means including a projecting arm pivoted to a head which in turn is pivoted to the rock shaft and meansfor adjusting the head" on the rock shaft, a second arm pivoted to a bracket on the overhanging arm of the machine and means for adjusting said bracket; substantially as described.

20. A machine of the character described including in combination, a pivoted rufiier head a ruiiler carried thereby, means for vibrating said ruifier, a pivoted frame supporting said ruffier, a stripper blade, means for pivotally supporting said stripper blade upon said pivoted frame, a projection carried by said ruffier head, whereby when said stripper is swung on its pivotal support said projection is engaged thereby and the ruiiler head swung on its pivot.

21. A machine of the character described including in combination a pivoted ruflier head, a ruflier carried thereby, means for vibrating said rufiier, a pivoted frame supporting said ruffler, a. stripper blade, means for pivotally supporting said stripper blade upon said frame, a projection carried by said rufiier head, a presser foot, a projection carried by said stripper supporting means whereby when said presser foot is raised the projection on the stripper support is engaged and the stripper raised an the projection on the ruflier head is engaged and the r'uflier head swung on its pivot.

22. In a sewing machine the combination of a ruffling device, means for moving it bodily laterally into and out of operative position, and means for operating said ruffiing device, said first named means including a single pivoted lever adapted to throw the ruffling device bodily laterally and simultaneously stop the rufliing mechanism.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for 23. A sewing machine including in combination a driving shaft, stitch forming mechanism, a device acting on the material in advance of the stitch forming mechanism for gathering the same, a rocking part, means for vibrating said rocking part from said driving shaft, a pivoted rocker arm normally connected to said rocking part and bodily movable therewith, means for connecting the outer end of said rocker arm to said gathering device whereby the vibrations of said rocking part are imparted through said rocker arm to said gathering device, and treadle controlled means for shifting said outer end of said rocker arm about said pivot during the operation of the machine for controlling the movements of the gathering device.

24. A sewing machine including in combination a driving shaft, stitch forming mechanism, a device acting on the material in advance of the stitch forming mechanism for gathering the same, a rocking part, means for vibrating said rocking part from said driving shaft, :1 pivoted rocker arm normally connected with said vibrating part and extending on opposite sides thereof, means for connecting the outer end of said rocker arm to said gathering device whereby the vibrations of said rocking part are imparted through said rocker arm to said gathering device, and treadle controlled means for shifting said outer end of said rocker arm about said pivot during the op eration of the machine for controlling the movements of the gathering device.

25. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism, of a ruffling attachment including a gathering member and a stripping blade, an actuating device for said gathcring member, and means attached to the machine frame for moving said attachment bodily for disconnecting said gathering member from said actuating device.

26. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism, of a rufliing mechanism including a rufliing member, a support therefor, an actuating device for said support, a bracket in which said support reciprocates, and means attached to the machine frame for moving said bracket for disconnecting said support from its actuating mechanism.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

RUSSEL G. WVOODXVARD.

Witnesses:

CHESTER McNmL, CHARLES E. J onnsou.

five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of latents.

Washington, D. C." 

